Generation of Infant-dedicated Fine-grained Functional Parcellation Maps of Cerebral Cortex

Infancy is a dynamic and immensely important period in human brain development. Studies of infant functional development using resting-state fMRI rely on precisely defined cortical parcellation maps. However, available adult-based functional parcellation maps are not applicable for infants due to their substantial differences in functional organizations. Fine-grained infant-dedicated cortical parcellation maps are highly desired but remain scarce, due to difficulties ranging from acquiring to processing of infant brain MRIs. In this study, leveraging 1,064 high-resolution longitudinal rs-fMRIs from 197 infants from birth to 24 months and advanced infant-dedicated processing tools, we create the first set of infant-specific, fine-grained cortical functional parcellation maps. Besides the conventional folding-based cortical registration, we specifically establish the functional correspondences across individuals using functional gradient densities and generate both age-specific and age-common fine-grained parcellation maps. The first set of comprehensive brain functional developmental maps are accordingly derived, and reveals a complex, hitherto unseen multi-peak fluctuation development pattern in temporal variations of gradient density, network sizes, and local efficiency, with more dynamic changes during the first 9 months than other ages. Our proposed method is applicable in generating fine-grained parcellations for the whole lifespan, and our parcellation maps will be available online to advance the neuroimaging field.

​Sex Ratio of Calves Resulted from Artificial Insemination Implementation using Sexed Semen with Percoll Gradient Density Centrifugation Method in Ongole Crossbred Cows

Background: Productivity of existing cattles in Indonesia is necessarily to be increase to balance meat consumption in this country. Determination of offspring of certain sex can be obtained from Percoll gradient density centrifugation.The purpose of this research was to elucidate the proportion of male calves that can result from artificial insemination using single and double doses of sexed semen in Ongole crossbred cows. Methods: The sexed semen samples were obtained through Percoll gradient density centrifugation performed by the Artificial Insemination Center. The artificial insemination method adopted here was deep insemination. As much as 10 ml of BIO ATP® (Rheinvet) was injected in each cow before immediately insemination. Further, as much as 3 kg/day of additional feed was given over three days after insemination, with a protein level of about 12%. Result: Our results showed the proportion of Y-bearing sperm among non-sexed semen was 52.77% and among sexed semen, was 80.79%. Further, 54.17% of the non-sexed semen, 42.11% of the single-dose sexed semen and 78.95% of the double-dose sexed semen treatments yielded male calves.

Mitochondrial Localization of the Yeast Forkhead Factor Hcm1

Hcm1 is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family involved in segregation, spindle pole dynamics, and budding in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our group described the role of Hcm1 in mitochondrial biogenesis and stress resistance, and in the cellular adaptation to mitochondrial respiratory metabolism when nutrients decrease. Regulation of Hcm1 activity occurs at the protein level, subcellular localization, and transcriptional activity. Here we report that the amount of protein increased in the G1/S transition phase when the factor accumulated in the nucleus. In the G2/M phases, the Hcm1 amount decreased, and it was translocated outside the nucleus with a network-like localization. Preparation of highly purified mitochondria by a sucrose gradient density demonstrated that Hcm1 colocalized with mitochondrial markers, inducing expression of COX1, a mitochondrial encoded subunit of cytochrome oxidase, in the G2/M phases. Taken together, these results show a new localization of Hcm1 and suggest that it acts as a mitochondrial transcription factor regulating the metabolism of this organelle.

Tingkat Keberhasilan Inseminasi Buatan Menggunakan Semen Beku Sexing pada Bangsa Sapi yang Berbeda

ABSTRAK. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi tingkat keberhasilan IB semen beku sexing Y. Penelitian menggunakan 39 sapi Peranakan Ongole dan 77 sapi Persilangan Limousin yang di IB secara double dosis. IB menggunakan semen beku spermatozoa Y dengan metode pemisahan Sentrifugasi Gradien Densitas Percoll (SGDP) sapi Limousin yang diproduksi oleh Balai Besar Inseminasi Buatan (BBIB) Singosari. Teknik deposisi semen adalah 4+ yaitu pada posisi cornua uteri selanjutnya dilakukan IB pada jam ke 2 dan ke 8. Untuk akseptor dilakukan penyuntikan BioATP+ dan pemberian pakan konsentrat 3 kg per hari selama 3 hari setelah IB. Variabel penelitian meliputi Non Return Rate (NRR), Service Per Conception (S/C), dan Conception Rate (CR). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa IB sapi Peranakan Ongole dan sapi Persilangan Limousin yaitu NRR1 sebesar 82,05% dan 89,61%, nilai NRR2 sebesar 76,92% dan 84,42%, nilai CR sebesar 58,97% dan 74,03%, serta nilai S/C sebesar 1,78% dan 1,46%. Kesimpulan penelitian adalah IB menggunakan semen beku hasil sexing Y sapi Limousin pada sapi persilangan Limousin memiliki tingkat keberhasilan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan sapi Peranakan Ongole. (The success rate of artificial insemination using frozen sexing semen of different breed cow) ABSTRACT. This study aimed to evaluate the success rate of AI frozen semen sexing Y. The material in this study used 39 Filial Ongole and 77 Limousin crossbred cattle in AI in double dose. The spermatozoa used were Y frozen semen of Limousin bull with the Percoll Gradient Density Centrifugation (SGDP) separation method produced by the Singosari Center for Artificial Insemination. The semen deposition technique was 4+, which has the position of the cornua uteri (deep Insemination), then AI implemented with a double dose at the 2nd and 8th hours after estrous. The cow acceptor was injected with BioATP+ and feed by 3 kg concentrate per day for three days after AI. Research variables include Non-Return Rate (NRR), Service Per Conception (S/C), and Conception Rate (CR). The results showed that AI of Peranakan Ongol and Limousin crossbred cattle on NRR1, NRR2, CR values, and S/C values respectively was 82.05% and 89.61%; 76.92% and 84.42%; 58.97% and 74.03%; 1.78% and 1.46%. In conclusion, AI using frozen semen from sexing Y Limousin cattle in Limousin crossbred cows had a higher success rate than Filial Ongole cattle.

What do we know about the genetic background of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and the reproductive approach?

Introduction: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD; MIM 244400) is a heterogeneous autosomal recessive genetic disorder associated with infertility due to impaired sperm motility in men. We describe two such cases and give a literature review on the genetic background and reproductive outcome. Materials and methods: Two primary infertile couples were referred to our clinic. Native semen, analyzed according to the WHO manual (2010), showed that male partners have completely immotile sperm with a negative pentoxifylline test. Sample vitality was compared according to different semen preparation methods (gradient density and washing method only). Genetic testing was done by Whole Exome next-generation Sequencing (WES) analysis. For the IVF/ICSI procedure, semen was prepared using the gradient density method, and prior to the ICSI procedure itself, a hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) was done. Results: Semen analysis showed oligoasthenozoospermia in Patient 1 and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in Patient 2. Blood draw for hormones and karyotype showed no irregularities in either case. Patient 1 was previously diagnosed with PCD, while Patient 2 was not. Parallel vitality testing did not show any differences between the two semen preparation methods in either of the two cases. Genetic testing in Patient 2 showed a pathogenic apparently homozygous CCDC40:c.2440C>T variant in exon 14 of the CCDC40 gene (MIM 613799). Fertilization rate after HOST/ICSI in both patients was 100%, and the final outcome for both patients was the birth of a healthy child. Conclusion: Although PCD has diverse etiology, assisted reproduction techniques such as HOST give these couples a good chance for parenthood. Advances in testing and strict adherence to advised procedures are to be credited for such outcome improvement. Additionally, our recommendation for PCD patients and patients with immotile sperm is to do genetic testing and counselling prior to the IVF/ICSI procedure.